Contain vs. Content — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 24, 2023
"Contain" means to hold or enclose within a space, while "Content" refers to the subjects or topics covered in a book or document, or to a state of peaceful happiness.
Difference Between Contain and Content
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Contain" and "Content" are two distinct words, serving different functions within language, each embodying a unique concept. "Contain" is a verb, typically utilized to convey the act of holding or encompassing within a certain limit, signifying restraint or control. For example, a vessel may contain a liquid. It conveys a sense of encirclement or enclosure, denoting the ability of an object to hold another within its boundaries.
Conversely, "Content" can be a noun or an adjective. As a noun, it represents the substance or material housed within something, often referring to the subject matter of a book, document, or any piece of information. It is the encapsulation of themes, topics, or elements within a given medium, reflecting the essence or substance of the material presented. As an adjective, "content" describes a state of satisfaction and peace, indicating a sense of fulfillment and lack of want.
When one uses the word "contain," it generally implies the inclusion or enclosure of one entity by another, indicating the act of holding or enclosing within specified limits. It delineates boundaries and signifies the presence of an entity within the confines of another. It can also refer to the ability to keep emotions or reactions under control, implying restraint and moderation.
On the other hand, "content," when used as a noun, is reflective of the inherent subject matter or elements within a given medium, serving as an indicative measure of what the medium encompasses or portrays. It is the compilation of constituent parts within a whole, outlining the integral components and subject matter. When used as an adjective, it implies a state of peaceful happiness and satisfaction, often indicative of a person’s feelings or emotional state.
In conclusion, while "contain" primarily relates to enclosure, holding, or restraint, "content," depending on its usage, can represent either the substance or subject matter of a given medium or a state of serene satisfaction. The distinction between these words is foundational to their correct application in language, requiring an understanding of their respective meanings and implications.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Noun/Adjective
Function
To hold or enclose within a space or limit
Refers to subjects or topics covered, or to a state of peaceful happiness
Usage
Indicates enclosure, holding, or restraint
Represents substance, subject matter, or a state of satisfaction
Example
A bottle contains water.
The book’s content is informative; She is content with her life.
Application
Physical or metaphorical enclosure or inclusion
Denotes inherent subject matter or a state of emotional satisfaction
Compare with Definitions
Contain
To prevent the spread of.
The firefighters contained the blaze quickly.
Content
Satisfied with what one has; not wanting more or anything else.
He is content with a modest living.
Contain
To be capable of holding.
The jug contains a liter of water.
Content
The substantive or meaningful part.
The content of his speech was impactful.
Contain
To comprise; to include.
This chapter contains vital information.
Content
Something contained within a larger whole.
The bottle's content spilled all over.
Contain
Have or hold (someone or something) within
The cigarettes were thought to contain cannabis
Content
Often contents Something contained, as in a receptacle
The contents of my desk drawer.
The contents of an aerosol can.
Contain
Control or restrain (oneself or a feeling)
He must contain his hatred
Content
The individual items or topics that are dealt with in a publication or document
A table of contents.
Contain
To have within; hold
A bin that contains rice.
Content
The material, including text and images, that constitutes a publication or document.
Contain
To be capable of holding
These barrels contain 50 gallons.
Content
The substance or significance of a written work, especially as contrasted with its form.
Contain
To have as a component or constituent part; include
Does the soup contain meat? The poem contains many famous lines.
Content
Information, such as text, video, and sound, usually as contrasted with its format of presentation
A television producer looking for content that was more entertaining.
Contain
To hold or keep within limits; restrain
I could hardly contain my curiosity.
Content
The proportion of a specified substance
Eggs have a high protein content.
Contain
To halt the spread or development of; check
Science sought an effective method of containing the disease.
Content
Contentment; satisfaction.
Contain
To check the expansion or influence of (a hostile power or ideology) by containment.
Content
Desiring no more than what one has; satisfied.
Contain
(Mathematics) To be exactly divisible by.
Content
Ready to accept or acquiesce; willing
She was content to step down after four years as chief executive.
Contain
(transitive) To hold inside.
Content
To make content or satisfied
Contented himself with one piece of cake.
Contain
(transitive) To include as a part.
Content
Satisfied, pleased, contented.
Contain
(transitive) To put constraints upon; to restrain; to confine; to keep within bounds.
I'm so excited, I can hardly contain myself!
Content
(obsolete) Contained.
Contain
To have as an element or subset.
A group contains a unique inverse for each of its elements.
If that subgraph contains the vertex in question then it must be spanning.
Content
Satisfaction, contentment; pleasure.
They were in a state of sleepy content after supper.
Contain
To restrain desire; to live in continence or chastity.
Content
(obsolete) Acquiescence without examination.
Contain
To hold within fixed limits; to comprise; to include; to inclose; to hold.
Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can not contain thee; how much less this house!
When that this body did contain a spirit.
What thy stores contain bring forth.
Content
That which contents or satisfies; that which if attained would make one happy.
Contain
To have capacity for; to be able to hold; to hold; to be equivalent to; as, a bushel contains four pecks.
Content
An expression of assent to a bill or motion; an affirmative vote.
Contain
To put constraint upon; to restrain; to confine; to keep within bounds.
The king's person contains the unruly people from evil occasions.
Fear not, my lord: we can contain ourselves.
Content
A member who votes in assent.
Contain
To restrain desire; to live in continence or chastity.
But if they can not contain, let them marry.
Content
(uncountable) That which is contained.
Contain
Include or contain; have as a component;
A totally new idea is comprised in this paper
The record contains many old songs from the 1930's
Content
Subject matter; semantic information (or a portion or body thereof); that which is contained in writing, speech, video, etc.
Although eloquently delivered, the content of the speech was objectionable.
Some online video creators upload new content every day.
Prolific creators manage their voluminous content with any of various content management systems.
Contain
Contain or hold; have within;
The jar carries wine
The canteen holds fresh water
This can contains water
Content
The amount of material contained; contents.
Light beer has a lower alcohol content than regular beer.
Contain
Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits;
Moderate your alcohol intake
Hold your tongue
Hold your temper
Control your anger
Content
(obsolete) Capacity for containing.
Contain
Be divisible by;
24 contains 6
Content
(mathematics) The n-dimensional space contained by an n-dimensional polytope (called volume in the case of a polyhedron and area in the case of a polygon); length, area or volume, generalized to an arbitrary number of dimensions. Category:en:Higher-dimensional geometry
Contain
Be capable of holding or containing;
This box won't take all the items
The flask holds one gallon
Content
The greatest common divisor of the coefficients; (of a polynomial with coefficients in an integral domain) the common factor of the coefficients which, when removed, leaves the adjusted coefficients with no common factor that is noninvertible.
Contain
Hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of;
Arrest the downward trend
Check the growth of communism in Sout East Asia
Contain the rebel movement
Turn back the tide of communism
Content
(archaic) Alright, agreed.
Contain
To have within; to hold.
The box contains a pair of shoes.
Content
(transitive) To give contentment or satisfaction; to satisfy; to make happy.
You can't have any more - you'll have to content yourself with what you already have.
Contain
To keep under control or restraint.
He struggled to contain his anger.
Content
To satisfy the expectations of; to pay; to requite.
Content
Contained within limits; hence, having the desires limited by that which one has; not disposed to repine or grumble; satisfied; contented; at rest.
Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.
Content
That which is contained; the thing or things held by a receptacle or included within specified limits; as, the contents of a cask or bale or of a room; the contents of a book.
I shall prove these writings . . . authentic, and the contents true, and worthy of a divine original.
Content
Power of containing; capacity; extent; size.
Strong ship's, of great content.
Content
Area or quantity of space or matter contained within certain limits; as, solid contents; superficial contents.
The geometrical content, figure, and situation of all the lands of a kingdom.
Content
Rest or quietness of the mind in one's present condition; freedom from discontent; satisfaction; contentment; moderate happiness.
Such is the fullness of my heart's content.
Content
Acquiescence without examination.
The sense they humbly take upon content.
Content
That which contents or satisfies; that which if attained would make one happy.
So will I in England work your grace's full content.
Content
An expression of assent to a bill or motion; an affirmative vote; also, a member who votes "Content.".
Supposing the number of "Contents" and "Not contents" strictly equal in number and consequence.
Content
To satisfy the desires of; to make easy in any situation; to appease or quiet; to gratify; to please.
Do not content yourselves with obscure and confused ideas, where clearer are to be attained.
Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them.
Content
To satisfy the expectations of; to pay; to requite.
Come the next Sabbath, and I will content you.
Content
Everything that is included in a collection;
He emptied the contents of his pockets
The two groups were similar in content
Content
What a communication that is about something is about
Content
The proportion of a substance that is contained in a mixture or alloy etc.
Content
The amount that can be contained;
The gas tank has a capacity of 12 gallons
Content
The sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned
Content
The state of being contented with your situation in life;
He relaxed in sleepy contentedness
They could read to their heart's content
Content
Something (a person or object or scene) selected by an artist or photographer for graphic representation;
A moving picture of a train is more dramatic than a still picture of the same subject
Content
Satisfy in a limited way;
He contented himself with one glass of beer per day
Content
Make content;
I am contented
Content
Satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are;
A contented smile
Content
The subjects or topics covered in a book or document.
The content of the article was enlightening.
Content
A state of peaceful happiness.
She found content in simple pleasures.
Common Curiosities
Is “contain” used to indicate the presence of one entity within another?
Yes, “contain” indicates the inclusion or enclosure of one entity by another.
Does “content” refer to what is inside something, like a book or document?
Yes, as a noun, “content” refers to the subjects or topics covered in a book or document.
Can “content” describe a state of satisfaction?
Yes, as an adjective, “content” describes a state of peaceful happiness or satisfaction.
Can “contain” mean to comprise or include?
Yes, “contain” can also mean to comprise or include certain elements or components.
Is “contain” associated with the idea of restraint?
Yes, “contain” is associated with the idea of restraint and control, both physically and metaphorically.
Can “content” represent the subject matter of a document or medium?
Yes, “content” can represent the substance or subject matter contained within a given medium.
Can “contain” refer to controlling emotions?
Yes, “contain” can also mean to keep emotions or reactions under control.
Can “content” also mean being satisfied with what one has?
Absolutely, when used as an adjective, “content” means being satisfied with what one has.
Does “content” encompass the integral components of a whole?
Yes, “content” encompasses the integral components or elements of a whole.
Does “contain” mean to hold within?
Yes, “contain” means to hold or enclose within a space or limit.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
